Golf club bag cover

ABSTRACT

A cover made from a flexible material forming a canopy having an apex and a peripheral edge longer than the rim at the open end of a golf bag. A tie string anchors a section of a reinforcing strip, secured to the peripheral edge of the canopy, to the bag adjacent the rim. The remainder of the strip along the edge of the canopy serves as the border of a displaceable flap portion of the canopy so as to provide easy access to the golf bag. Weights embedded in the strip hold the flap down in enclosing relation to the open end of the golf bag.

[ Oct. 21, 1975 3,662,803 5/1972 150/52 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 437,122 10/1935 United Kingdom......... ISO/1.5 R

Primary Examiner-Dona|d F. Norton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A cover made from a flexible material forming a canopy having an apex and a peripheral edge longer than the rim at the open end of a golf bag. A tie string anchors a section of a reinforcing strip, secured to the peripheral edge of the canopy, to the bag adjacent the rim. The remainder of the strip along the edge of the canopy serves-as the border of a displaceable flap portion of the canopy so as to provide easy access to the golf bag. Weights embedded in the strip hold the flap Inventor: Stanley S. Sessler, Siloam Springs,

Ark.

Assignee: Geraldine W. Sessler, Broken Arrow, Okla. a part interest June 7, 1974 ISO/1.5 R; 150/52 G Int. A63B 55/00 ISO/1.5 R, 52 E, 52 G, 150/52 R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS United States Patent Sessler GOLF CLUB BAG COVER 22] Filed:

21 Appl, No.: 477,521

[58] Field of Search.............

12 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures down in enclosing relation to the open end of the golf 2,471,169 Salzberg.....,............. 2,704,563 Henrich 2,973,794 3/1961 Erickson.................. 3,521,689 7/1970 Woods................,.... 3 620 276 ll/l97l Taylor......

Ill

US. Patent Oct.21, 1975 Sheet 1 of5 US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet2 0f5 3,913,648

Fig. 5

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 3 of5 3,913,648

US. Patent Oct 21, 1975 Sheet 4 of5 3,913,648

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 5 of5 3,913,648

GOLF CLUB BAG COVER This invention relates to a protective cover for golf club bags of the open top type. Flexible covers for golf bags are well known, as shown for example in US. Pat. No. 2,704,563 to Henrich. Such covers are somewhat restricted to a limited dimensional range of golf bags and suffer from other disadvantages such as a lack of ventilation within the golf bag when the cover is applied and the requirement that the cover be completely removed to permit access to the golf bag. It is the object of the present invention to provide a golf bag cover that overcomes or avoids the aforementioned disadvantages of prior art covers.

In accordance with the present invention, the golf bag cover is formed from a flexible canopy or. hood having an apex to which a handle is attached and a peripheral edge or hemto which a reinforcing border strip is secured. A tie string extends from spaced holes in the border strip to anchor a portion thereof to the golf bag along its rim at the open end. The edge of the canopy being longer than the golf bag rim, forms a flap between the holes in the border strip through which easy access may be had to the interior of the bag without removal of the cover. The flap portion of the canopy is held down in enclosing relation to the open end of the golf bag by weights embedded in the border strip and may be more firmly secured to the bag by the tie string. In either event, there is no air sealing of the bag so that air ventilation will prevent accumulation of moisture on the golf clubs otherwise protected beneath the waterproof or water repellant material of the canopy hood. A reinforced opening in the canopy accommodates projection therethrough of the attachment ring for the bag shoulder strap.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a partial respective view of the upper portion of a golf club bag as seen from the side to which the shoulder strap is attached.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the upper portion of the golf bag shown inFIG. 1 but seen from the opposite side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the golf bag shown in FIG. 1 with the cover of the present invention applied.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the golf bag as shown in FIG. 2 with the cover of the present invention applied.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 4 but showing the cover flap portion secured in place.

'FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 4 but showing a modification.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of one of the parts associated with the golf bag cover shown in FIGS. 3 through 6.

FIG. 8 is a partial elevational view of a modified form of golf bag cover. I

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the golf bag cover itself corresponding to the cover shown in FIGS. 3 through 6.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of golf bag cover.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a golf club with the cover shown in FIGS. 3 through 6 raised to provide access to the golf bag.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another form of golf bag cover constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the handle assembly taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 13l3 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line l4-l4 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the disassembled parts of the golf bag cover shown in FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a typical golf club bag generally referred to by reference numeral 10 of the type having an open end at the top bordered by a top rim 12. The rim 12 defines the opening in a plane that is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the golf bag at one axial end of a wide collar 14. Secured to the collar 14 at the high end of the opening is an attachment element 16 to which an attachment ring 18 is anchored. A shoulder strap or sling 20 is removably secured to the attachment ring 18 by means of a snap buckle 22. Sections of a dividing strap 24 extend transversely across the opening at the top of the golf bag with the ends secured to each other externally on the collar 14 by means of a buckle 26. Thus, the dividing strap 24 divides the golf bag into three compartments for separating the wooden clubs and metal clubs from each other. An additional attachment ring 28 may also be secured to the collar 14 in diametrically opposite relation to the shoulder strap attachment ring 18 as shown in FIG. 2.

In accordance with the present invention, a protective cover generally referred to by reference numeral 30 is applied to the upper end of the golf bag as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. The construction of this form of cover 30 is more clearly seen in FIGS. 9 and 15. The cover includes a flexible canopy or hood generally referred to by reference numeral 32 made of a waterproof or water repellant material. In the embodiment illustrated, the canopy is formed from a pluraltiy of interconnected segments 34 so as to form a polygon in cross section perpendicular to the vertical axis which extends through the apex 36 of the canopy as shown in FIG. 15. Further, in the embodiment illustrated, the flexible material of the canopy is transparent.

A moon-shaped opening 38 is formed in the canopy material at one circumferential location in close adjacency to the lower peripheral edge 40 of the canopy which is also provided with'holes 42 spaced from the opening 38 on either side thereof. The holes 42 are aligned with holes 44 fomed in an endless reinforcing border strip element 46 as shown secured to the peripheral edge portion 40 of the canopy by adhesive or heat sealing. A reinforcement 48 is also provided for the opening 38. The aligned holes 42 and 44 in the canopy and reinforcing strip 46 are protected by grommet elements 50 and accommodate threading therethrough of a tie string 52 as more clearly seen in FIG. 9. Thus, the tie string 50 extends from the border strip 46 at the grommeted openings for purposes to be described hereafter. The border strip also embeds weights 54 as more clearly seen in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 9, three weights 54 are embedded at the intersection of the segments 34 on that side of the canopy opposite the opening 38. The weights 54 are thereby operative to weigh down a flap portion of the canopy formed between the grommeted openings from which the tie string 52 extends opposite a bag contacting section of the border strip element 46 on either side of the reinforced open ing 38.

A handle assembly 56 is secured to the apex 36 of the canopy and as more clearly seen in FIG. 13, includes an external knob portion 58 having a shank portion 60 extending throughthe apex 36 of the canopy. A circular disc 62 is positioned on the shank portion 60 against the underside of the canopy at the apex and is backed by an internal washer 64. An external washer 65. is disposed on the shank portion between the canopy and the shoulder 66 between the knob portion 58 and the shank portion 60. The entire handle assembly is held assembled by means of a cotter pin 68 extending through the shank portion in abutment with the internal washer 64. Inasmuch as the canopy material in the illustrated embodiment is transparent, printing may be placed on the disc 62 as shown in FIG. 7 since it will be visible through the canopy material.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cover 30 is applied to the upper end of the golf bag by tying the tie string 52 about the collar 14 with the bag contacting portion of the border strip underlying the top rim 12 so that the attachment ring 18 projects through the opening 38 in the canopy. The border strip element 46 will also underlie the buckle 26 and will form part of a displaceable flap capable of being elevated to provide access to the interior of the golf bag as shown in FIG. 11. As clearly shown in FIG. 11, the cover remains anchored to the collar portion 14 of the golf bag by means of the tie string with its ends tied in a bow 70 adjacent to the attachment ring 28 through which one end portion of the tie string is threaded. Golf clubs 72 may thereby be easily inserted or removed from the bag without removal of the cover. When the flap portion of the cover is released, it will drop down and be retained in enclosing relation to the upper end portion of the bag by virtue of the weights 54 embedded in the border strip element 46 as shown in FIG. 4. The cover will thereby provide protection for the interior of the golf bag against the weather but without sealing the bag. Air ventilation will therefore preventaccumulation of moisture within the golf bag which could adversely affect the golf clubs 72. The condition of the cover as shown in FIG. 4 will be suitable while the golf bag is in use. Where the golf bag is being stored with the golf clubs therein, the tie string 52 may be tied about the flap portion of the canopy just above the border strip element 46 as shown in FIG. 5. Even so, complete sealing of the bag against air ventilation will not occur because the material of the canopy will be folded in order to conform to the collar 14 of the golf bag. It will also be apparent that the peripheral edge of the canopy and the border strip element will be greater in dimension by a substantial amount than the length of the top rim 12 so as to form a flap as described. Furthermore, in view of the fact that the lower edge portion of the canopy is dimensionally greater than the top rim 12, the cover is capable of being applied to golf bags of different sizes without restriction.

Although the canopy 32 hereinfore described is indicated to be transparent, it could alternatively be made of an opaque material in which case advertising printing could be placed thereon as shown in FIG. 8. Another alternative is shown in FIG. wherein a flexible holding means comprises at least one weight member cano 32 is shown which is formed of a continuous curvature. The cover shown in FIG. 10 is otherwise the] same as the cover 30 hereinbefore described.

FIG. 12 shows yet another form of cover which is similar to those hereinbefore described except that the canopy 32 is formed of a flat sheet of material constituting a poncho style of canopy.

A still further modification is shown in FIG. 6 wherein the ends of the tie string 52' may be provided with Velcro fastener elements 72 in order to secure.

the end portions of the tie string without the use of any bows.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modificationsand equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is asfollows:

1. In combination with a golf club bag having anopen end defined by a rim from which an attachment ring extends, a cover comprising a flexible canopy having a peripheral edge substantially greater in length than said rim and a substantially central apex, an elongated reinforcing border element secured to said peripheral edge i 2. The combination of claim 1 including handle means secured to the apex of the canopy.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said flexible anchoring means comprises a tie string extending through two spaced holes in the border element between which the bag contacting portion is defined.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the flap portion holding means comprises at least one weight member embedded in the border element.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said canopy I is polygonal in cross section relative to a vertical axis extending from the apex when suspended by the handle means. I

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said canopy is polygonal in cross section relative to a vertical axis extending from the apex when suspended by the handle means.

7. The combination of claim 2 wherein said canopy is circular in cross section relative to a vertical axis extending from the apex when suspended by the handle means.

8. The combination of claim 2 wherein said canopy is formed from a flat sheet of flexible material.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said flexible anchoring means comprises a tie string extending through two spaced holes in the border element between which the bag contacting portion is defined.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein flapportion embedded in the border element.

ing border element secured to said peripheral edge having a bag contacting portion and a displaceable flap portion, flexible means extending from the bag contacting portion of the border element into embracing relation to the bag adjacent the rim for anchoring the canopy to the bag, and means mounted on the flap portion of the border element for holding the canopy in enclosing relation to the open end of the golf bag. 

1. In combination with a golf club bag having an open end defined by a rim from which an attachment ring extends, a cover comprising a flexible canopy having a peripheral edge substantially greater in length than said rim and a substantially central apex, an elongated reinforcing border element secured to said peripheral edge of the canopy having a bag contacting portion and a displaceable flap portion, said canopy being formed with an opening adjacent to the peripheral edge dimensioned to receive the attachment ring therethrough, flexible means extending from said bag contacting portion of the border element into embracing relation to the bag adjacent to the rim for anchoring the canopy to the bag, and means mounted on said flap portion of the border element for holding the canopy in enclosing relation to the open end of the golf bag.
 2. The combination of claim 1 including handle means secured to the apex of the canopy.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said flexible anchoring means comprises a tie string extending through two spaced holes in the border element between which the bag contacting portion is defined.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the flap portion holding means comprises at least one weight member embedded in the border element.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said canopy is polygonal in cross section relative to a vertical axis extending from the apex when suspended by the handle means.
 6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said canopy is polygonal in cross section relative to a vertical axis extending from the apex when suspended by the handle means.
 7. The combination of claim 2 wherein said canopy is circular in cross section relative to a vertical axis extending from the apex when suspended by the handle means.
 8. The combination of claim 2 wherein said canopy is formed from a flat sheet of flexible material.
 9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said flexible anchoring means comprises a tie string extending through two spaced holes in the border element between which the bag contacting portion is defined.
 10. The combination of claim 1 wherein flap portion holding means comprises at least one weight member embedded in the border element.
 11. A golf bag cover comprising a flexible canopy having a peripheral edge, an endless reinforcing border element secured to said peripheral edge of the canopy having a bag contacting portion and a displaceable flap portion, and a tie string extending only through the bag contacting portion of the border element.
 12. In combination with a golf club bag having an open end defined by a rim, a cover comprising a flexible canopy having a peripheral edge substantially greater in length than said rim, an elongated reinforcing border element secured to said peripheral edge having a bag contacting portion and a displaceable flap portion, flexible means extending from the bag contacting portion of the border element into embracing relation to the bag adjacent the rim for anchoring the canopy to the bag, and means mounted on the flap portion of the border element for holding the canopy in enclosing relation to the open end of the golf bag. 